While New York City and many other parts of America struggle to accept Muslims near Ground Zero, the U.S. Army is showing signs of more openness towards one group mistakenly caught up in the post-9/11 hysteria.

 

Sikhs, who were mistaken for Muslims following the terrorist attacks and persecuted because of their appearance, are being allowed in a few instances to retain their turbans and beards, which are required by their faith, while serving in the Army. There are more than half a million Sikhs in the United States.

 

Captain Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi said on his first day of training at Fort Sam Houston in Texas, a first sergeant pulled him out of the crowd—not to admonish him for his appearance, but to make it clear to the rest of the soldiers that Kalsi had every right to serve his country.

 

“These were his words: ‘The Army is made up of different shades of green, and if you have any objection to him being here, you need to tell me now,’” Kalsi told Agence France-Presse. “It was great; everybody clapped.”

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

US Military Quietly Opens Up to Sikhs (Agence France-Presse)

Sikh Soldiers Allowed to Serve, Retain Their Articles of Faith (by Steve Elliott, United States Army)

Army Allows Sikh Doctor to Wear Beard and Turban (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)

Sikh Police Ask for Development of Bulletproof Turbans (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)